People NEED to know this!
How many owners blamed themselves when their dogs got a positive reading and
was on preventative, thought maybe they missed a dose and did NOT file a
claim?
I’m sure Merial doesn’t even get notified of 99% of the cases
where dogs are on the heartworm prevention and still get heartworm.
Changes to the advertising and insert label MUST be implemented!! This
is a life threatening preventive, not flea control!
My dog went in for her
yearly check up and shots in April 2005. After 2 negative years for
heartworm and giving her the heartworm preventative EVERY month I got a call that my dog was
POSITIVE. I was shocked to hear this. She is 99% of the time an
inside dog for one, second she is well cared for and I NEVER missed a dose
of her Heartgard as it is posted on my calendar.
I have purchased the
heartworm prevention from my
vet all year. My vet told me they had recently been to a seminar and
found out that if the chewable is NOT chewed it does NOT dissolve and get
absorbed into the dogs system, thus it does not prevent heartworm.
I called Merial, got a
case number and they covered my dog's heartworm treatment. HOWEVER they will not
refund for the year I purchased their Heartgard product that failed, $96.00 dollars
worth – they offered a year's heartworm prevention free, like I want to use that when it
failed!!
I spent 8 weeks having to
keep my dog calm and quiet during treatment meaning I had to close all my
blinds so she wouldn’t run to them barking, I had to take her to the
bathroom on leash in a fenced yard so she wouldn’t run and chase
squirrels, going out in rain storms and all. That was so the heartworms
dying from the treatment didn't block her heart valves.
I had to watch the
horrible reaction to her shots as she suffered from heartworm treatment.
Am I
satisfied treatment was paid for and labeling, advertising remains the same,
NO! I demand something be done about this so other owners do not
experience the same. AND I WANT MY MONEY BACK!! Satisfaction
guaranteed? Not for me it’s not.
I was told on the phone
by Merial, makers of Heartgard, that my case is handled between their vet
and my vet. They don’t deal with me….last I knew I WAS THE OWNER OF THIS
DOG. I plan on notifying the FDA who approves this so-called heartworm
prevention drug, and animal
welfare institutes, andbetter business bureau until something is done about it.
Although my dog is now negative, she still could have irreversible heart
damage from the worms that are unknown now.
Page 2 are details and the
heartworm prevention advertising / label information as it is written today with my comments.
My information:
Debbie Bieniek - I can be reached via
dbieniek@cfl.rr.com
My vet is:
I do not care for them to get in the middle of this they have been wonderful
through it all and there are ethics involved – but if you need documented
information they have it.
Deland Animal Hospital - Hwy 92 in Deland Florida –
386-734-1802
Merial – the company that
makes Heartgard
My Case #0533529 - (888) 637-4251 they
offer no email address. Islen, NJ
Heartgards inside label
"my comments in RED"
The
chewable should be administered in a manner that encourages the dog to chew
(WOULD SOMEONE TELL ME HOW TO
“ENCOURAGE A DOG TO CHEW”? NEVER TAUGHT A DOG THAT ONE!),
rather than to swallow without chewing. Chewables may be broken into pieces
and fed to dogs that normally swallow treats whole. Care should be taken
that the dog consumes the complete dose, and treated animals should be
observed for a few minutes after administration to ensure that part of the
dose is not lost or rejected. If it is suspected that any of the dose has
been lost, redosing is recommended.
THEY FAIL TO WARN YOU WHAT HAPPENS IF THE TABLET IS NOT CHEWED – IT
DOESN’T DISSOLVE SO IT’S NOT ABSORBED INTO THE SYSTEM!!! NO WHERE ON
THE ENTIRE INSERTED LABEL DID I SEE ANY MENTION OF THIS AS A WARNING.
Heartgards advertising "my
comments in RED"
#1 Choice
of Veterinarians for Heartworm Disease Prevention
Not true,
not my vets #1 choice and another vet in town doesn’t even sell it.
False advertising!
HEARTGARD
Chewables are labeled for the prevention of heartworm disease. Heartworm
disease is 100% preventable
(totally not true and my dog is proof of that)
with HEARTGARD Chewables, satisfaction guaranteed! All you have to do to
protect your dog from the threat of heartworm disease is to give HEARTGARD
Chewables once a month and use as otherwise directed.
Protecting Pets.
Protecting People –
Now there is a crock if I ever
read one!!
You want the best for your
pet. HEARTGARD brand products help you provide the best protection
(oh really ??)
for your pet against internal worms that may pose a serious threat to its
health.
http://www.thedogplace.org/HEALTH/HeartgardFailed_Bieniek-0509.asp
#10121-1106
